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Success B o n V oyag e
I’LL MEET YOU IN
THE MALDIVES
An insider’s guide to The Maldives: What you need to know to travel to this idyllic paradise hailed the
most beautiful convocation of islands on Earth.
TEX T BY FR ANCESCA CRUZ
PHOTOS BY KURUMBA
An assemblage of 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, The Maldives
is a relaxing respite like none other. Of all the isles in the chain,
some 200 are inhabited, and 100 are dedicated to luxury resorts.
It’s a coveted paradise that weds tradition with luxury; all the while,
embracing a chroma of orange sunsets and teal and lapis-blue
waters. Considered THE exotic destination to experience for 2017
— it takes the title as much for the euphoria inducing paradisiacal
beauty, as for its vulnerable future. Scientists predict that because
of sea level rise, within 100 years, 80% of these archipelagoes will
be uninhabitable, or wiped out completely. This impasse has not
placed a dent on high-end hotels opening their opulent doors here.
This part of the world is in full bloom and booming.
GET TING THERE
A direct flight from the U.S. is ridiculously expensive, so it’s
best to pair a vacation here with travel to India, Sri Lanka,
the Middle East or Europe where you can catch a direct flight
and the airfare is less outrageous. Food, drinks, activities and
excursions are costly. Consider All-Inclusive Packages that
account for the flight, hotel and meals. Bungalows on the
water will run you upwards of $400 per night. There are also
guesthouses throughout the islands that most travelers are not
privy to, ranging from $60-$80. The Summer Villa Guest House,
and the Serene Sky Guest House are fabulous options, but of
course not at the level of opulence of a resort.
WHAT TO EXPEC T
The Maldives is an Islamic nation, operating under Sharia Law. You
are not allowed to enter the country with alcohol or pork products.
You can purchase alcohol once at your hotel. The capital city of
Malé is conservative and dotted with mosques; you’ll often see the
locals praying in public. For the most part, you won’t witness this
in the resort areas. The Maldivians speak Dhivehi and English so
communication is not an issue — locals are known for being warm
and welcoming to tourists. In fact, tourism is the lifeblood of the
Maldivian economy, accounting for 30% of their GDP.
IDEAL ITINER ARY
The capital city is only one square mile so the best way to get
around is on foot. If your final destination is a resort, you’ll have
to take a ferry, speedboat or air taxi. One of these options is most
likely included in the cost of your stay, but review this closely when
booking, just to make sure. If you’d like to island-hop, the ferry
system is not very extensive and doesn’t run on a normal schedule,
so it’s best to pay a little extra for a speedboat…or attempt to
finagle a local fisherman. You’re looking at $280 per person for a
45-minute speedboat jaunt. Is it worth it? Yes, this is what vacation
dreams are made of, this stretch of blue on the map resurrects
the weary and the bedraggled. The Maldives are called the “Most
Beautiful Islands On Earth” for a reason; VisitMaldives.com.
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